Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information onto the real world. It has been around for several years now and has gained popularity in recent years due to advancements in mobile devices and increased accessibility of data. In this article, we will explore which group was among the pioneers in adopting AR technology.
1. Gaming Industry
The gaming industry has been one of the early adopters of AR technology. In 2013, Nintendo launched the Wii U GamePad, which incorporated an AR display on the back of the controller. This allowed players to see virtual objects in the real world and interact with them using the controller.
Another example of the gaming industry’s adoption of AR is the release of Pokémon Go in 2016. The game used AR to overlay digital creatures onto the real world, making it a massive hit and popularizing AR technology.
2. Retail Industry
The retail industry has also been an early adopter of AR technology. IKEA launched an AR app called Place in 2014 that allowed users to see how furniture would look in their homes before buying it.
Another example of the retail industry’s adoption of AR is the launch of Lowe’s AR app in 2017. The app allowed users to see how different paint colors would look on their walls before making a purchase.
3. Education Industry
The education industry has also been an early adopter of AR technology. In 2013, Aurasma launched an AR app called Aurasma Studio that allowed educators to create interactive lessons using AR.
Another example of the education industry’s adoption of AR is the launch of Google Expeditions in 2015. The app allowed students to take virtual field trips to different parts of the world using AR technology.
4. Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry has also been an early adopter of AR technology. In 2015, Google launched Google Glass, a pair of smart glasses that included an AR display. The glasses were used by surgeons and other medical professionals to access important information during procedures.
Another example of the healthcare industry’s adoption of AR is the launch of Vuforia’s AR platform for medical training in 2018. The platform allowed medical students to practice surgical procedures using AR technology, providing a more realistic and immersive training experience.